Key holder



J. 1 2. HARRISON, JR., ET AL 2,637,994

May 12, 1953 KEY HOLDER 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 28, 1950 INVENTOR. Z '5 JOSEPH 1?. HARRISON J12.

By WALTER DIA-N ATT RNEY y 953 J. R. HARRISON, JR., ETAL 2,637,994

KEY HOLDER 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 28, 1950 INVENTOR. JOSEPH R. HARRISON Je. BY WALTER. DIAN ATTORNEY Patented May 12, 1953 KEY HOLDER Joseph R. Harrison, Jr., Chicago., and Walter Dian, Downers Grove, Ill.; said Dian assignor to said Harrison, J r.

Application January 28, 1950, Serial No. 141,104

11 Claims. 1

This invention relates generally to key holding or retaining devices and more particularly to a key case.

One of the important objects of the invention is to provide a case embodying improved principles of design and construction whereby a key is concealed from view within the confines of the case for the purpose of protecting the lining of a pocket or a purse from the wear and tear usually caused by the notched operating shank of the key and the sharp arrises on the key which are ordinarily left in the manufacture thereof.

More particularly, an object of the invention is to provide a unique case which, among other things, includes a wall having a track and a holder slidable on the track, the holder being provided with resilient means for detachably and resiliently supporting the inner handle end of a key. 1

Another significant object of the invention is to provide the slidable holder with a channel or means for receiving the track, the arrangement preferably being such that when the cover of the case is secured to the wall above referred to, the,

channel on the receiving means of the holder will be held in proper operative relationship with the track.

The principal object of the invention is to provide a holder with a knob and latch assembly whereby the holder may be reciprocated to pull a key into the case or project its operating shank to a position exteriorly thereof for engagement with a lock, and whereby the latch may be actuated by the knob to lock the key shank in extended position.

A further object of the invention is to provide a setup or arrangement whereby with slight changes in design and construction a case may be made to accommodate a plurality of keys projectable through one end of the case or a construction whereby the holder may support a pair of keys in such a manner that the operative shank of one key may be projected outwardly from one end of the case and that of the other key outwardly from the opposite end of the case.

Many other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent after the description hereinafter set forth is considered in connection with the drawings annexed hereto.

In the drawings:

Figures 1 through 7 exemplify one embodiment of the invention, Figure 1 being a perspective view of a case designed and constructed to accommodate a pair of keys, the operative shanks of which are adapted to be projected outwardly from one end of the case;

Figure 2 is a side view of the case illustrated in Figure 1 with one of the covers removed for the purpose of showing details of construction;

Figure 3 is a longitudinal section taken substantially on line 3--3 of Figure 2 depicting other details of construction;

Figure 4 is a vertical section taken substantially on line 44 of Figure 2 showing the relationship of certain components of the assembly;

Figure 5 is an enlarged section taken substantially on line 5-5 of Figure 2 showinga preferred way of securing the covers of the case in position;

Figure 6 is an exploded view of one of the key holders employed, including a knob and latch;

Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 6 showing another holder employed, including a knob and latch;

Figures 8, 9 and 10 exemplify a second embodiment of the invention, Figure 8 being a perspec-' tive view showing a case which will accommodate three keys;

' Figure 9 is a vertical section taken through an appropriate part of Figure 8 for the purpose of exemplifying details of construction;

Figure ,10 is an enlarged transverse section taken through the case and showing a modified way of securing the covers in position;

Figures 11 through 14 exemplify a third modification of the invention, Figure 1'1 being a perspective view of a case comprised of sides which are pivotally connected together and which includes a holder so constructed and arranged that.

it will support a pair of keys in such a manner that the operating shank of one key may be projected outwardly from one end of the case and the operating shank of the other key out-j stantially on line I l-Moi Figure 12 showing one of the snap means employed for holding the hinged sides of the case together.

Referring to the drawings in detail l5 designates a fiat rectangular shaped case adapted to be conveniently carried in the hand or pocket, and having two or more parallel elongated slots l5 in the front wall thereof, through which a corresponding number of keys I 1 may be partially ejected from the case, as will be explained hereinafter. The case I5 is preferably formed in two sections and of metal, such as aluminum, steel or the like, or of plastic. The top of the case I is likewise provided with a pair of elongated parallel slots [8 extending throughout substantially the entire length of the case for a purpose hereinafter described.

The interior. of! the case i5"is' provided with a pair of substantially rectangular shaped open boxes l9 arranged back to back to form two separated key compartments 23. The boxes [9 are preferably formed of metal such as steel, or of plastic of suitable thickness and rigidity to insure turning of a partially ejected. key in. a look". by simply turning the case. Theseboxesorinnerxcasings may be secured together in approximately the longitudinal central portionof. the outer case ill by spot welding or other suitable means, and each of these boxes is provided with an elongated slot.

2| in its front wall, in alignment with a corresponding slot it in. the outer case [5. As shown more clearly in. Figure 2, the upper side. wall 22 of each box 19 is bent. inwardly adjacent its ends as at 23 to: provide a space between the-box and. the upper'wall of the outer. case ii.

A key holder, indicated generally by the. reference character 24 is provided for each compartment '20 and is' adapted to slide back and forth onv the wall 22 which acts as a rail to guide the key holder in. such: movement.

The key' holder comprises a plate member 25 preferably formed of spring. metal and bent. adjacent its upper end to form a substantially U- shaped channel 26 adaptedto receivethe rail 22. Anaperture 21 is provided in the plate. 25 above the channel. 26, to receive a. pivot pin 28 for pivotally mounting the handle member or knob 29 and its latch member 30 on said plate 25.

As shown in. Figures 2 and 4 the apertured end portion of the plate 25 extends through one. of

the slots IS in the outer case 15 so that. the knob 29 rests on top of the outer casing [5. By engaging the knob 29 with. his thumb, the operator may slide the holder 24 back and forth along the rail 22 of the inner casing or box 19.. During this operation, the pointed end 31 of the latch member 30 will ride on the rail. 22- until the knob 29 isadvanced to its extreme forward position on the casing, at which time the part 3! of the latch will drop into an aperture 32 in the wall 22 and thereby lock the holder 24 in this advanced position. By rocking the knob 29 on its pivot 28, the latch 30 may be disengaged and the holder slid back to the opposite end of the casing.

The holder 24 is provided with a spring clip 33.

preferably formed integral with the plate member 25 and having an abutment or detent 36 on its inner face adapted to engage the aperture in the head of a conventional key H. The clip 33 is spaced from the plate member 25 a distance slightly less than the thickness of a key, so that the operator will have to exert some pressure on the key to force the head thereof into engagement with the abutment 34. A second spring clip 35 is also provided on the plate member 25 and formed integrally therewith. This clip also extends outwardly from the plate 25 and is adapted to engage the inner wall of the outer casing I5 to prevent accidental longitudinal movement of the key l'l within the casing 15.

In Figure 5, we have shown one method of assembling the casings l5, l9, although it will be understood as this description proceeds that various other methods and means may be employed for this purpose. As shown in this figure, the side walls of each inner casing or box is are provided adjacent their ends with outturned abutments 36 which are received in recesses 31 formed in the side walls of each section of the casing l5. As the two sections of the outer casing are brought into abutting relationship, the abutments; 36 on the inner casin 1.9 will snap into the recesses 31 as shown in Figure 5, and thus lock the parts in assembled relation.

In Figures 8, 9 and we have shown another embodiment of the invention, wherein three keys may be housed within the casing a, also preferably formed of. two sections constructed of steel, plastic: or other suitable rigid material. As shown in Figures 9 and 10, the inner casings or open boxes We, similar to the boxes 19 in Figures l to 5 inclusive are arranged in one side portion of the outer casing, and a third inner casing or box 38 is provided, within the. outer casing. in the. opposite. portion. of. said outer Gas.- ing. These inner casings form the key com, partments 26a, spaced from one anotherv as; shown clearly in Figures 9 and 10. Each, inner casing or box has a side wall 22a forming a rail on. which a. key holder a may slide upon actuationv of one of the knobs or handles, 2941. As in. Figures 1, to 5' inclusive, each section of the outer casing is provided with an elongated slot [611 in its front wall and an elongated slot Illa in its. upper wall, and, a portion of the outer edge of each section of said upper wall is grooved as shown in Figure 8. to provide a third elongated slot 39 The keys, not shown in this embodiment I the invention, are secured to the key holder 25a, and moved in, and out of the key case in the. same manner described and illustrated in con junction with the embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 1 to 5' inclusive.

As distinguished from the first embodiment of the invention, the inner and outer casings. are assembled as follows. The outer ends Q1 the side walls of the central one of the inner casings or boxes is provided with out turned lugs or abutments 36a which are adapted to be received in recesses 31a in the inner wall of the outer casing [5a. When the twov sections of the outer casing are pressed together over the inner casings, the lugs 36a will snap into the recesses 31 and lock the two casings in assembled relation.

It will be evident from the foregoing that a. greater number of keys may be accommodated in key cases of the character herein described by increasing the width of the outer casing and increasing the number of inner casings or key compartments therein, without departing Irom the spirit of the present invention.

A further modification of our invention is illust trated in Figures 11 to 14 inclusive, in which we have shown a substantially flat rectangular key case I52) accommodating two keys IIb, one key to be partially extended through one end or the casing and the other key partially extended through the opposite end of said casing,

In this embodiment of the invention, only one key holder 24b is required, and such holder comiprises a metal plate member 25b, preferably made of spring metal and having a pair of oppositely disposed prongs or key engaging members 33b extending at right angles from the plate member and preferably integral therewith. ,A spring clip b is secured intermediate its ends to the upper portion of the plate member 25 with its free ends abutting against the inner wall of the casing l5b to actas a brake against accidental longitudinal movement of the key l'lb within the casing.

The casing I5b is preferably formed of two parts hinged together as shown at 39, with each section carrying one or more latch members 40 each having a rounded abutment 4| adaptedto engage a groove 42 in the inner wall of the opposite section, as shown in Figure 14. When the two sections are swung into engagement, the latch members 40 snap into the grooves 42 to lock the sections of the easing into closed position. By applying pressure in opposite directions against the two sections, the casing may be opened and the heads of the two keys llb engaged by the two prongs 33b in the manner shown in Figure 12.

In this embodiment of the invention, the front and rear walls, as well as the upper walls of each section of the casing are grooved to provide, respectively, elongated slots lfib and a single slot I92). The slots Itb permit the shank portion of either key llb to be projected outwardly from the casing, while the slot 1% permits the upper or apertured end of the plate member b to extend therethrough, thereby enabling the operator to reciprocate the keys longitudinally in the casing by manipulation of the knob or handle member 2% pivoted on the plate 25b.

Any one of the various methods and means for locking the outer casing sections may be used in any one of the several embodiments of the invention.

From the foregoing it is believed the construction and operation of this key case will be readily understood by those skilled in the art, and it is manifest that changes may be made in the details disclosed, without departing from the spirit of the invention as expressed in the following claims.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. A key case having a slotted Wall and an open end through which a key is longitudinally reciprocable, a rail in said casing having an aperture at one end thereof, a key holder slidable on said rail and having one end portion thereof extending through said slot, means provided on the holder for detachably supporting a key, a manually operable actuating member mounted on the last mentioned end portion of the holder for manipulating the key into and out of the case through the opening, and means carried by the holder and adapted to engage the aperture in the rail for locking the key in extended position.

2. A key case having a slotted wall and an open end through which. a key is longitudinally reciprocable, a rail in said casing having an aperture at one end thereof, a key holder slidable on said rail and having one end portion thereof extending through said slot, means provided on the holder for detachably supporting a key, a manually operable actuating member mounted on the last mentioned end portion of the holder for manipulating the key into and out of the case through the opening, a latch carried by the holder adapted to engage the aperture in the rail for locking the key in extended position, and resilient means on the holder frictionally engaging an inner wall of the case for preventing accidental longitudinal movement of the key within the case.

3. A key case having a slotted wall and an open end through which a key is longitudinally iii reciprocable, a rail in said casing having an aperature at one end thereof, a key holder slidable on said rail and having one end portion thereof extending through said slot, means provided on the holder for detachably supporting a key, and a latch assembly pivotally mounted on the last mentioned end portion of the holder for manipulating the key into and out of the case through the opening and engageable with the aperture in the rail for locking the key in extended position.

4. A key case having a slotted wall and an open end through which a key is longitudinally reciprocable, a rail in said casing having an aperture at one end thereof, a key holder slidable on said rail and having one end portion thereof extending through said slot, means provided on the holder for detachably supporting a key, a latch assembly pivotally mounted on the last mentioned end portion of the holder for manipulating the key into and out of the case through the opening and engageable with the aperture in the rail for locking the key in extended position, and resilient means on the holder frictionally engaging an inner wall of the case for preventing accidental longitudinal movement of the key in the case.

5. A key case having a slotted wall and an open end through which a key is longitudinally reciprocable, a rail in said casing having an aperture at one end thereof, a key holder slidable on said rail and having one end portion thereof extending through said slot, means provided on the holder for detachably supporting a key, a manually operable actuating member mounted on the last mentioned end portion of the holder for manipulating the key into and out of the case through the opening, and a latch pivotally mounted on the holder and adapted to engage the aperture in the rail for locking the key in extended position.

6. A key case for keys having an apertured head, said case having a slotted wall and an open end through which a ke is longitudinally reciprocable, a rail in said casing having an aperture at one end thereof, a key holder slidable on said rail and having one end portion thereof extending through said slot, 2. spring clip provided on the holder and having an abutment thereon for detachably engaging the apertured end of th key, a manually operable actuating member mounted on the last mentioned end portion of the holder for manipulating the key into and out of the case through the opening, and a latch pivotally mounted on the holder and adapted to engage the aperture in the rail for locking the key in extended position.

7. A key case having a slotted wall and an open end through which a key is longitudinally reciprooable, a rail in said casing having an aperture at one end thereof, a key holder slidable on said rail and having one end portion thereof extending through said slot, resilient means provided on th holder for detachably supporting a key, a manually operable actuating member mounted on the last mentioned end portion of the holder for manipulating the key into and out of the case through the opening, and a latch pivotally mounted on the holder and adapted to engage the aperture in the rail for locking the key in extended position.

8. A key case having a slotted wall and an open end through which a key is longitudinally reciprocable, a rail in said casing having an aperture at one end thereof, a key holder slidable on said atoms;

rail and havingone, end portion th reof @Xiifiiid ingthrough eaid slot, resilient means provided on. the holderfor d achably sunpoi tine a Ke a m nually operable ctuating m mber m u te Q 1 h last mention d nd portion of he holder for manipulating the y i to and ut: o t e ease hro h the. open n a latch nivot liy m n d o t holder and adapted to en a e the aperture in the rail for lockin the key in ex ended po ition, and-a springvclip Qnthe holder frictionaily engaging an inner wall oi the ease for preventing acoi flntal longitudinal movement Qfiihe key in the case.

9. in a key retainer, an outer casing having a slotted W ll an an p n nd hro gh which a key is l n it dina ly reciprooa le, an nn r c sin fixed within the. outer casing and forming a, lgey c mmitment, said inner casing havin a. slo in one of its walls in to ment, with nd adi cent to the slot in he outer ca in and. an penin at one end adjacent to and in. alignment with the onen end. o he out r casin a rail in said inn r asing, a ke holder slidable on said rail having one end portion thereof extending through the slots in the -1Bspective casings, means provided on the holder for detachably support ing a ke Within the inner casing, and a. manuali-y operable aotuating member mounted on the as mentioned end portion of the holder for a in ating t e key nto. and out of the casings hrone-i1 the op nin h rein,

10. In a key retainer, an outer casing havinga slotted wall and an open end through which a key is longitudinally reciprooabie, an inner casing fixed within said outer casing, said inner casing having a slot in one of its Walls in alignment with and adjacent to the slot in the outer casing and an opening at one end adjacent to and in alignment with th moon Qndo the out: easing.

the slotted W il f sa d mm?! mains iozmin; a

rail, a key holder slidable on said rail and havme one end p rtion h reof ex ndin hrou the l t i he ut i' as m an pr ided on t e holder for d achab y supp rt ng a key. and a manu ly oper ble l t h ssem y mo nt d on mo est-me tion d nd portion f he ey holder for manipulating a .key into and out of the eas mes.

11. A key case havin a slotted wall and an op n end throug whi h a ey is l ng tudinal y recipr able. a ra l. in said casing a key holder siidabie n .seid rail and having-on nd portion thereof extending through said slotted wall, means pr v ded n the holder for deta hably supporting a key, and a manually operable aotuating member mounted on the last ment on nd p r ion of. the h lder rma nu atin the key into and out of the case through the open end of the a JOSEPH R. HARRISON, JR. WALTER DIAN'.

References Cited in the, file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

